Protector



c. F. B ENNETT. PROTECTOR. APPLiCATION FILED JAN. 23, 1922.

1,420,361. Patented Jime'20, 1922.

I 17 706727??? 67207176827156 2 We (5 f UNTED ATENT 1E.

GHABLES F. BENNETT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NOR TO BENNETT ELASTICWEB PROTECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J 11116 20, 1922.

Application filed January 23, 1922. Serial No. 531,267.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. BENNETT, a citizen of the United States,residing at 2430 North Oakley Avenue, Chicago, in the county of Cook andState of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement inProtectors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in protectors, of the kindadapted to be worn, for example, by players engaged in basketball, andsimilar sports, to revent injury to joints, such as the knee. y improvedprotector can be easily and cheaply made, and wears well. By my improvedconstruction, I am able to use, in making my protector, strips or strapsof elastic webbing. Protectors, as hereinbefore made, have required thecutting or weaving of elastic webbing into particular shapes orpatterns. Elastic webbing can be bought on the market in straps orstrips of any desired length; and when so purchased it is much cheaperthan if odd shapes are required. The use of such straps or strips ofelastic webbing in making my protector, therefore, cuts down the cost ofmaterial, and also saves labor in making the protector.

features of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 isa view in side elevation of my improved protector, Fig. 2 is a view inrear elevation, Fig. 3 is a View in plan of the protector beforecompletlon, and Fig. 4 is a view of the same in side elevation.

As shown in the drawings, the protector comprises two strips orstraps-of elastic webbing, indicated by 10 and 11. These two strips areof the same length. In forming the protector, they are laid side by sideand then overlapped at their ends, as indicated by 14 and 15 (see Fig.3). For a short distance at the center, their edges are sewed together,as indicated by 17. The overlap ping at the ends gives a slight convexcurve to the outer edges 18 and 19, and naturally causes a shortening ofthe opposite edges at.

shown in Fig. 3, the ends 30 and 31 of this double strip are broughttogether and joined,

and reinforced by a cross-member 50. When the protector is placed overthe knee, this strip 50 is put at the back. The overlapping of the endsof the strips 10 and 11 makes this strip 50 somewhat shorter than thewidth of the protector at the front, where the strips 10 and 11 are notoverlapped. This causes the completed protector to make a slight curve,which makes it better conform to the knee joint. The fullness 20, abovedescribed, is in front over the knee-cap, and accommodates the same.

The front of the completed protector is provided with strips of felt orother cushioning material, as indicated by 60, to give the desiredpadding.

If desired, the protector can be made in a different way. For example,the strips 10 and 11 could be kept separate, and each one formed into acylindrical member by joining its ends. These two cylindrical memberscould then be put together and overlapped for a portion of theirperipheries and fas-v tened to make a completed protector.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, itis to be understood that it is capable of many modi-' of the inventionas disclosed in the appended,

claims, in which it is my intention toclaim all novelty inherent in mylnvention as broadly as possible in View of the prior art.

lVhat I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A protector comprising two strips of material with their edges at thecenter portions adjacent and fastened together, and their endsoverlapping, the ends of the-double strip thus formed being fastenedtogether to form a tubular member, said tubular member having cushioningmaterial attached thereto. I

2. A protector comprising two strips of elastic webbing withtheir edgesat the center portions adjacent and fastened together, and their endsoverlapping,the endsof the double strip thus formed being fastened together to form a tubular member, said tubular member having cushioningmaterial attached thereto. 1 7

Witness my hand and seal this 3.1 day of December, 1921.

CHARLES F- BENNETT. [a a]

